Method and apparatus for playing a game with a projectile

ABSTRACT

A multiplayer game, having rules with aspects of the games of Four Square and Volleyball, is played with an apparatus that can optionally be respectively disassembled and set up.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to method and apparatus for playing a ballgame. More specifically, the present invention provides for an apparatusthat enables players to engage in a fast-paced game that combinesaspects of the games of volleyball and foursquare while providing a gameframe that is portable and deployable in a variety of environments.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are several prior art variations of the traditional playgroundgame of Four Square, but they share many of the same characteristics.Typically, the game is played with an elastic ball such as a rubberplayground ball on a solid ground surface such as a concrete or asphaltplayground or parking area. Referring to a top view of the prior artgame square arrangement shown in FIG. 1A, a large square (10) is markedon a solid horizontal surface with a permanent medium such as paint, orwith a temporary marking medium such as chalk. The large square (10) isapproximately sixteen feet on each side (20) (or may be larger orsmaller based on the skill of the players involved), and is furtherequally divided with orthogonal markings into four square interior playareas (A, B, C, and D).

Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG 1B, to begin play, four players (60) enterthe large square (10) and each individual player (60) stands in one ofthe four interior play areas (A, B, C, or D). The player in interiorsquare (or in the alternative, “box”) “D” is designated as the “server,”and places a foot in the small “service box” (40) within box D (oralternatively places a foot on the corner of the large square (10)nearest to the service box (40)) and begins a rally by hitting the ball(50) by hand into any one of the other boxes (A, B, or C). Optionally,game rules may require the server to allow the ball (50) to bounce oncein the server's box (D) before it is struck by hand to enter anotherinternal play box (A, B, or C), and in one variation, the ball must beserved into the box diagonally opposite (B) of the server's box (D).

Once served, the ball enters one of the other internal play boxes (A, B,or C). It is allowed to bounce once, and then the player within the boxthat received the serve must strike the ball by hand, returning the ballso that it may bounce within another interior box before the ballbounces again. In one version of the game, a receiving player may hitthe ball to another interior box before the ball bounces in thatplayer's play box. The rally continues by players striking and returningthe ball to other internal play boxes until a player is unable tosuccessfully return the ball to bounce within another player's box.

The player that is unable to correctly return the ball to another squareis considered “out,” and leaves the game square (10), optionally movingto the end of a queue of waiting players (30). If the server was not the“out” player, the server then receives one point toward that player'sindividual score, with an overall goal of remaining as server andaccruing points as long as possible. After the “out” player leaves thegame square (10), players rotate counterclockwise (from A to D) to fillin the gap of the missing “out” player, and then a new player entersinto box A from the front of the player queue (30). In this arrangement,play continues indefinitely with players rotating through the game asplayers go “out,” and additional players may join by simply joining theend of the player queue (30).

Referring to FIG. 2, a court (200) for the classic game of volleyball isshown. Volleyball may be played in areas such as grassy lawns andbeaches, since the game does not require a ball to bounce from a solidsurface. However, the game requires that a net (220) be erected in amanner that prevents it from falling over after being touched, impactfrom ball strikes, or from natural events such as wind. Further, theoutside boundaries of the volleyball court (210) must be clearlydemarked to assist in determining when a ball that hits ground waswithin the boundary or out of bounds. Yet in play areas such assandy-beaches, court boundaries (210) can be difficult to create in amanner that resists scuffing, player footsteps, and ball strikes. Theerection of a temporary volleyball court on a soft play surfacetherefore presents challenges that delay players' abilities to quicklybegin a game, and once the game is begun, boundaries (210) may have tobe periodically redrawn.

What is needed, then, is a game that combines the excitement ofvolleyball with the rapid and fun game of four square. What is alsoneeded is an apparatus that can be erected in a variety of playingenvironments without extended set up time. What is further needed is agaming apparatus that is easily portable and breaks down to a size thatlends itself to easy transportation and storage. What is further neededis a mechanism to create a foursquare-like game play area such as abeach or grass lawn that does not require a hard, completely flatsurface with scuff-resistant edge indicia. What is further needed is anexciting, fast-paced interactive game that combines aspects offoursquare and volleyball, allowing for play on either hard or softplaying surfaces.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toimprove various problems associated with the prior art. Morespecifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide aportable game apparatus that enables players to perform a method of gameplay that combines aspects of volleyball and foursquare into a fun,exciting, multi-player game. To that end, the method and apparatus ofthe present invention provides a Four Square-like game that is played inthe air above players' heads. By-providing for a portable, elevated gameframe, player squares that are provided on a hard ground surface in FourSquare are now elevated above the players' heads, and a player now usesvolleyball-like ball strikes to hit the ball up and out of the players'game square and into another player's game square. Alternatively, thepresent invention may be viewed as a 4-way volleyball game without theneed for nets or markings on the ground.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained bymeans of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are exemplary andexplanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.Thus, the present invention comprises a combination of features, steps,and advantages which enable it to overcome various deficiencies of theprior art. The various characteristics described above, as well as otherfeatures, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art uponreading the following detailed description of the preferred embodimentsof the invention, and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,which form a part of the specification, and wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts a plan view of a prior art Four Square game layout;

FIG. 1B illustrates a view of a prior art Four Square game with playersengaged in a rally;

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of a prior art volleyball court;

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the game frame apparatus of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the game frame apparatus of thepresent invention, with players shown engaged in a rally;

FIG. 5 illustrates correspondence with alternative embodiments of thegame frame apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates plan views of exemplary alternate embodiments of thegame frame apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an implementation of an apparatus of the presentinvention in the early stages of collapsing for transportation orstorage;

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of additional disassembly of the polesof the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment of disassembly of the polesof the present invention; and,

FIG. 10 illustrates another alternate embodiment disassembly of thepoles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 3 illustrates an overall conceptual view of one embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention, herein also referred to as the “gameframe” (300). In one embodiment, the game frame (300) can be used as agame apparatus to play a game in which a projectile is projected amongplayers. It is understood by those of skill in the art that suchprojectiles may constitute any number of objects that are adapted toplay a game, such as a ball, a shuttlecock or “birdie,” a balloon, abeanbag, or a self-illuminated object. The game apparatus has at leastthree substantially equal volumes. Each volume is contiguous with eachother volume and is sized sufficiently to be occupied by at least oneplayer. Each volume is also bounded or otherwise defined by a pluralityof elongate members that are above a playing surface. By way of example,and not by way of limitation, each or some of the elongate members canbe a pole. At least some of the elongate members are positioned abovethe heads of the players. In the game, players project the projectileover the elongate members that are above the heads of the players. Inone embodiment, the game apparatus also has means for connecting eachelongate member so as to be substantially normal to at least one otherelongate member. In an alternate embodiment, elongate members may becomprised of inflatable elastomeric members that assume a substantiallyrigid shape upon inflation. Also, the game apparatus has means, for atleast some of the elongate members, for adjusting the length of theelongate member, and in an inflatable embodiment, the means foradjusting the length may comprise inflation or deflation. Each elongatemember can be made of aluminum, steel, PVC, vinyl, polystyrene,polyethylene, nylon, or combinations thereof.

Each said volume has a three dimensional (3D) shape. The 3D shape isdefined by the linear movement of a 2D object, such as a rectangle, acircle, an octagon, a triangle, or a polygon. Thus, a linearly movedsquare (2D) forms a volume that is a cube (3D).

The adjustment means can be one or more joints for moving the elongatemember between an open and a closed position thereof. The closedposition, for instance, can be a pole that is folded in half. The jointcan be hinge or a bending member formed in the middle of the pole. Theadjustment means can be capable of allowing the pole to be disassembled.Also, when a pole is made up of substantially concentric poles, theadjusting means can be for telescoping an inner pole within an outerpole. Also in the inflatable embodiment, the adjustment means maycomprise inflation or deflation of an inflatable pole.

For each volume, the connecting means and adjusting means respectivelyarticulate to collapse the volume such that the plurality of elongatemembers thereof are parallel one to another. Also, the connecting meansand adjusting means respectively articulate such that the plurality ofelongate members can be moved into an operative position in which eachelongate member is substantially normal to at least one other saidelongate member, and a collapsed position in which each said elongatemember is substantially parallel to each other said elongate member.Examples of the foregoing, for one embodiment, are seen in FIGS. 7-10.In an alternate embodiment, the game frame (300) is allowed to bedeployed through inflation from a substantially collapsed position to anoperative position, and through deflation, the deployed game frame (300)may be collapsed.

Each volume will preferably have a width and height suitable for theplayers. For instance, adults would prefer a width not less than fourfeet and a height not less than six feet.

In yet another embodiment, the game frame (300) is comprised ofhorizontal bar members (350) substantially parallel to a ground or playsurface interconnected to form an orthogonally-bisected square definingthe top of four interior play boxes (A′, B′, C′, and D′) with oneconnection point (360) common to all four interior play boxes (A′, B′,C′, and D′). While one embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 issubstantially symmetrical with respect to a vertical axis, otherembodiments may be comprised of asymmetrical collections of volumes (orplay boxes).

The twice bisected square that defines the top of the game frame (300)is supported above the ground or play surface by four vertical cornerpoles (310), four mid-poles (320), and a center pole (330). The poles,together with the bar members and the bottom play surface, define apolyhedron-like shape, which further comprises the interior polyhedronvolumes or play boxes (A′, B′, C′, and D′) that are occupied by players.The volumes defined by the interior play boxes (A′, B′, C′, and D′) maybe contiguous or substantially contiguous, and one player is intended tooccupy each volume. Each top side of an interior play box (A′, B′, C′,and D′) is comprised of two substantially horizontal bar members (350)hingedly or detachably connected at their midpoints by articulationpoints (340) comprised in one embodiment of locking bar hinges. Inalternate embodiments, the articulation points are comprised of flexiblebending points, friction-fit connections, double pin hinges, or snap-fitconnections. In an alternate embodiment, each top side (A′, B′, C′, andD′) of the interior play boxes is not defined by two hingedlyinterconnected bar members, but a single rigid bar member, and inadditional embodiments, the bar members (350) may further comprise twoor more articulation points (350) for enhanced disassembly. In yetanother embodiment, the game frame (300) is comprised substantially ofinflatable elastomeric structural members, that deploy from a flaccid,portable collapsed shape, to a rigid or semi-rigid structure uponinflation. In such inflatable embodiment, bar members (350) and poles(310, 320, 330) may be permanently or detachably affixed to form thegame frame (300). By operating a valve that is integrated with such barmembers (350) or poles (310, 320, 330), the user may allow for deflationand subsequent storage of the game frame (300) in a substantiallycompressed condition.

The bar members (350) that do not reside on the outside edge of the gameframe (300) not only serve to add structural integrity to the game frame(300) but also provide a barrier over which a projectile (50) (forinstance, a ball, a birdie, or another object) must pass during play,much as a volleyball must pass over a net. The projectile may beprojected by a player simply by throwing, kicking, punching, or hittingit, or by a player hitting the projective by a bat, a racket, a stick, apaddle, or another instrument. Preferably, the projectile is a ball thatis manually projected by the players among themselves over the barrierand into each respective player's play box or volume.

Each interior play box is further comprised of one outside corner (370),two mid-corner proximal connections (380) and a connection (360)proximal to the center pole (330). While in one embodiment the poles(310, 320, 330) may be rigid and incapable of folding, in an alternateembodiment, the poles (310, 320, 330) further comprise a take-downelement (345) whereby the poles may be shortened in length through aflexible bending point, a locking hinge-fold mechanism, or through aconcentric inner pole element capable of telescoping into and out of ahollow outer element of the pole. While bar members (350) may bepermanently connected to poles (310, 320, 330), in one embodiment, barmembers (350) are attached to the poles (310, 320, 330) through afriction fit socket, or in another embodiment, bar members (350) attachat outside corners (370), central T-junctions (380) and the centralfour-way junction (360) through hingedly-movable connections. Takedownand disassembly of the game frame is discussed in more detail below.

In one embodiment, poles (310, 320, 330) and bar members (350) may bemanufactured from tubular steel, aluminum, PVC, polystyrene,polyethylene, nylon, vinyl, or any substance that is sufficientlylightweight to be person-portable yet rigid enough to be self-supportingand resistant to bend forces induced by ball or player strikes. In analternate embodiment, poles (310, 320, 330) and bar members (350) may bemanufactured from transparent material, wherein light strings such asminiature Christmas-type bulbs or LED lights are contained within thepoles and bar members to light the structure and alternatively toprovide ambient light for night-time play or decoration. Alternatively,the poles and bar member may be manufactured from eithersemi-transparent or partially transparent material, and string lightsare molded into a channel within each frame member. In anotherembodiment, poles and bar members further comprise channelssubstantially aligned with the central axis of the poles and barmembers, wherein LED lights and wiring strings are retained within thechannel by a friction fit, a set of clamps, or conventional adhesives.In an alternate embodiment, the lighting system further comprises anelectronic control unit that provides a pulsed signal to the lights, sothat various patterns of flashing and/or multicolor display may beachieved, such as provided by prior art synchronous Christmas “chaser”lights.

Referring to FIG. 5, the shape of the game frame (300) need not belimited to twice-bisected square or rectangular polyhedrons. Rather,many embodiments are possible whereby an arrangement (300A) of poles(510) and bars (500) define contiguous or substantially contiguousinterior volume spaces that provide sufficient room for players to moveand return projectiles over the top bar members of the game frame toother game boxes. Plan views of the top surface of exemplary embodimentsare shown in FIG. 6, and comprise a square bisected at its verticesrather than midpoints (610), a twice-bisected circle (620), an octagoncrossed with bars at its vertices (630), a rectangle defining aplurality of interior game spaces, such as six spaces (640), and atriangle (650) defining three interior game box spaces. In most cases,poles will attach to each vertex created by the intersection of the barmembers and shapes shown on FIG. 6. The three-dimensional shapes formedby a hypothetical outside implied surfaces stretched along such topsurfaces and poles could be a rectanguloid, cylinder, extruded octagon,extended rectanguloid, or extruded triangle, respectively.

In one embodiment of the game frame illustrated in FIG. 3, the length ofthe poles (310) is approximately seven feet, and each interior game box(A′, B′, C′, and D′) measures eight feet on each horizontal side, makingthe overall outer dimensions of the polyhedron defined by the game frameapproximately 16 feet by 16 feet by seven feet high. While thisembodiment provides for one play configuration, other dimensions may beeasily provided for, such as if the poles (310) were decreased in lengthto allow an embodiment that was easier to play for short children. Inone embodiment, in a manner similar to camera tripod legs, the poles(310) may be shortened to a desired play length through a telescopingaction provided by pole take-down elements (345). Those of skill in theart also may recognize that the dimensions of the interior game boxesmay be varied from the exemplary eight feet by eight feet to accommodateavailable play space or differing players' ability.

In one embodiment, the projectile (FIG. 4, 50) may be a rubberplayground ball, or may be a typical play ball found in most toysections of stores, such as balls with approximately ten-inch diametersand weighing approximately 95 grams. Alternatively volleyballs may beutilized as the game ball (50), and if the outside environment is beingsubjected to significant wind, a partially-deflated volleyball canoffset the wind-induced shear forces, allowing for more enjoyable play.Generally, lighter balls provide for longer rallies and are betteradapted to players of lower ability, while heavier balls provide morechallenge and are more resistant to wind effects.

Turning now to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10, the game frame apparatus (300) inFIG. 3 will now be shown in various stages of disassembly. In FIG. 7,downward force (700) is applied to the articulation points (340) so asto hingedly bias bar members (350) downward as shown in the arrows(700). As the bar members (350) rotate downward, the game frame (300)collapses inwardly in an accordion-like manner (710). Once the gameframe (300) has collapsed inwardly, (FIGS. 8, 9, 10, items 801, 901 and951, respectively) the bar members (350) and poles (310, 320, 330) comeinto close proximity in a bundle that eases transportation of the gameframe. In one embodiment, to further shorten the bundle of rods andpoles to improve portability, poles (shown as 310, but may also comprisepoles 320 or 330) may be further folded (FIG. 8, 802) by rotating abottom section of poles through a hinged joint (FIG. 8, 345). In analternate embodiment (902) shown in FIG. 9, bottom sections of poles(310, 320, 330) slide in a telescoping manner (900) into larger upperchambers through an aperture to a larger outer top tube (345), which inouter deployed position could have been fixed by a clamp, rotatingfriction collar, set screw, or pin. In yet another embodiment (952)shown in FIG. 10, bottom sections of poles (310, 320, 330) detach fromthe top sections of the poles, and while held together with elastic orstretchable lines (345) are capable of being folded vertically to jointhe bundle of bar members and poles (952), in a manner not unlike manydisassemblable tent support poles in modern backpacking tents. As aresult, the fully disassembled game frame (300) forms a dense andreadily transportable bundle (803, 903, 953) that may be slid within atote bag or carry box.

In an alternate embodiment, the articulation points (340) on the topsurface of the game frame (300) do not hingedly connect; rather, barmembers (350) separate at the articulation points (340) throughfastening means such as friction fit or pin-fastened connections, andthen bar members (350) are free to rotate downward through hingedcommunication with corner junctions (360, 370, 380), and each pole (310,320, 330) separates from the game frame with either two, three, or fourbar members (350) hingedly attached.

Referring to the apparatus shown in FIG. 4, the method of game play isnow described. Initially, four players stand individually in play boxes(A′, B′, C′, and D′). The player (460) that stands in the D′ box (theserving box or volume) is identified as the serving player, and touchesone foot to the outside corner pole (410). The rally begins with othernon-serving players (465) standing in their respective play boxes andawaiting the serve. The serving player (460) either strikes or pushesthe ball (50) with a volleyball-like hand motion up and out of theserving box so that the ball (50) lands in one of the other players'(465) boxes (A′, B,′ or C′, or the “nonserving” boxes). The player (465)that receives the served ball must return it up and out of their box anddown into another player's box. The rally continues until a player (460or 465) allows the ball to touch the bottom play surface (420) inside oroutside of the game frame (300) without successfully returning it overthe top of a bar member into another player's box. That player is then“out,” must exit the game frame, and return to the end of the queue (30)of people (60) waiting to enter box A′. Without passing the D′ box, theother players then rotate counter-clockwise to fill in the volume orplay box that was vacated by the “out” player, and then the person atthe front of the queue (30) enters box A′, thus causing all play boxes(A′, B′, C′, and D′) to be occupied by a player. Once a player rotatesinto play box D′, that player becomes the new serving player andreceives a point each time a rally ends where another non-serving player(465) is “out.” The first player to receive ten points wins the game,and a new game may then be started.

In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, the servingplayer (460) should observe the following rules when serving: (a) one ofthe serving player's feet should be in contact with the outside cornerpole (410), (b) the serving player (460) should annunciate that player'scurrent score aloud before serving, and (c) the serving player (460)should serve the ball into another player's (465) box (A′, B,′ or C′)without the ball (50) touching any of the game frame's horizontal barmembers (or barriers) as shown by the two exemplary bar members (350) inFIG.4. If the serving player (460) fails to observe the aforementionedrules, the serving player is considered “out” and must leave the servingplayer box (D′). Rotation and new player entry then occurs as describedabove. During the course of a rally, it is permissible for the ball (50)to deflect off of any number of horizontal bar members (350) as long asit ultimately comes down inside of some other player's box.

Although an exemplary, preferred embodiment of this invention has beendescribed using preferred commercial products, it will be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art that modifications of the methodsand apparatuses described, as well as substitution of equivalentcommercially available products may be made without departure from thespirit and scope of the invention claimed.

1. A game apparatus in which a projectile is projected among players,the game apparatus comprising: at least three substantially equalvolumes contiguous one to another, each: for being occupied by arespective player; and defined by a plurality of elongate members abovea playing surface at least some of which are above the heads of theplayers and over which the projectile is projected; means for connectingeach said elongate member to at least one other said elongate member;and means, for at least some of the elongate members, for adjusting thelength of the elongate member.
 2. The game apparatus as defined in claim1, wherein each said elongate member comprises a material selected fromthe group consisting of aluminum, steel, PVC, polystyrene, vinyl,polyethylene, nylon, and combinations thereof.
 3. The game apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein: the connecting means connects each elongatemember substantially normal to at least one other said elongate member;and each said volume has three dimensions defined by a linearly movedshape selected from the group consisting of a substantially rectangleshape, a substantially circular shape, a substantially octagonal shape,a substantially triangular shape, and a substantially polygonal shape.4. The game apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the adjustmentmeans comprises one or more joints for moving the elongate memberbetween an open and a closed position thereof.
 5. The game apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein the adjustment means comprises means fordisassembling the elongate member.
 6. The game apparatus as defined inclaim 1, wherein the adjusting means comprises means for telescoping aninner elongate member within an outer elongate member.
 7. The gameapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein, for each said volume, theconnecting means and adjusting means respectively articulate to collapsethe volume such that the plurality of elongate members thereof areparallel one to another.
 8. The game apparatus as defined in claim 1,wherein the connecting means and adjusting means respectively articulatesuch that the plurality of elongate members can be moved into: anoperative position in which each elongate member is substantially normalto at least one other said elongate member; and a collapsed position inwhich each said elongate member is substantially parallel to each othersaid elongate member.
 9. The game apparatus as defined in claim 1,wherein each said volume has a width not less than four feet and aheight not less than six feet.
 10. A method of playing a game, whereinthe method of the game is played with the game apparatus defined inclaim
 1. 11. An apparatus for playing a game with a projectile, theapparatus comprising: a plurality of poles oriented substantiallyvertically; and, a plurality of bar members oriented substantiallyhorizontally, wherein: said bar members are connected to said polesthrough corner junctions; said poles and said bar members define threeor more substantially equal volumes each being substantially contiguousto the others; and at least some of said bar members each being abarrier over which the projectile is projected in the game from one saidvolume into another said volume.
 12. The apparatus as defined in claim11, wherein said bar members and said poles are constructed of materialsselected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, PVC, vinyl,polystyrene, polyethylene, and nylon.
 13. The apparatus as defined inclaim 11, wherein a surface defining each said volume is selected fromthe group consisting of a rectangle, a circle, an octagon, a triangle,and a polygon.
 14. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein saidbar members further comprise one or more articulation points.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein said articulation points comprise ahinge.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said articulation pointsprovide a separation point for disassembling said bar members.
 17. Theapparatus as defined in claim 1 1, where at least some of the poles eachfurther comprise means for shortening the pole.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the means for shortening comprises an inner poletelescoping within an outer pole.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, whereinthe telescoping is facilitated by a friction fit of the inner pole tothe outer pole.
 20. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, where at leastsome of the bar members each further comprise means for producing light.21. A method of playing a game comprising: (a) placing a player in eachof three or more play boxes upon a player surface, wherein: each saidplay box is contiguous and substantially equal in size to all other saidplay boxes; and a barrier is defined at the top of and between any twocontiguous said play boxes; (b) the player projecting the projectilefrom the player's play box into another said play box over the barrierthere between; (c) the player in the another said play box projectingthe projectile into any other said play box over the barrier therebetween; and (d) repeating (b) and (c), for respective players and playboxes, until a first condition occurs in which the projectile contactsthe player surface.
 22. The method as defined in claim 21, wherein (b)and (c) are repeated until a second condition occurs in which theprojectile is projected by one said player outside that player's boxwithout: entering another said play box; or being projected over thebarrier between the player's play box and the another said play box. 23.The method as defined in claim 21, wherein: one of said play boxes isdesignated as a serving play box; and the player in the serving play boxis designed as a server.
 24. The method as defined in claim 23, whereina foot of the server is required to be at the periphery of therespective play box opposite one said play box into which the serverprojects the projectile.
 25. The method as defined in claim 22, furthercomprising removing the player last projecting the projectile when thefirst or second condition occurs and continuing the game without theremoved player.
 26. A game apparatus having three or more play boxeseach substantially contiguous to the others and sized to receiverespective players for playing a game with the method as defined inclaim 21.